Shock absorber for straight knitting machines



Nov. 3, 1936. K. o. WAECHTLER ET AL 2,059,667

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 4,- 1935 6Sheets-Sheet l I N V EN TORS: 11mm Whiz i BY flerberi'jfl. uess,

Nov. 3,1936. K. o. WAECHTLER ET AL 2,059,567

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 4, 1935 6Sheets-Sheet 2 m m m m Nov. 3, 1936. K. o. WAECHTLER ET AL 2,059,667

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 4, 1935 6Sheets-Sheet 3 .1 l E- 5 5 aim v Ill:

i E i J g 51 61. I lll Q 01 k 5% a 6 E 31? I I (I By erbefi a e-5s,

Nov. 3, 1936. K. o. WAECHTLER ET AL 2,059,667

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 4, 1935 6Sheets-Sheet 4 i=1 22E- 'Firs- -7 INVENTORS: ,fiurid I l/Zwahfler 6 I KBy iicrbez'im. wess,

'ATTOR 1936- K. o. WAECHTLER ET AL 2,059,667

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 4, 1935 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Firs--15- 3 By lllerberi giuess,

QW W

. Nov. 3, 1936., K o. WAECHTLER ET AL 2,059,667

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 4, 1935 6Sheets-Sheet 6 I N VEN TORS BY H erberZ Sz z css,

Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOCK ABSORBER FORSTRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Pennsylvania Application February 4, 1935,Serial No. 4,744

, 16 Claims. Our invention relates to novel mechanism for absorbing theshocks of impact of longitudinally I reciprocable rods of straightknitting machines with stops therefor, and particularly to means forreducing the speed of the thread-carrier bars for short distances priorto engagement with the end stops; this application being a continuationin part of our application relating to a Safety lock device, Serial No.706,166, filed January 11,.

1934, now Patent No. 2,030,037, and assigned to the assignee hereof.

The shocks, resulting from the impacts of a thread carrier rod of a fullfashioned knitting machine with its end stops, are a disturbin factor inthe operation of the machine, such shocks jarring the machine, andsetting up vibrations tending to loosen the parts, to lower theeiliciency of the machine, and to have other undesirable results.

Mechanisms heretofore suggested to avoid the above-mentioned objection,although reducing, or partially absorbing, the shock, caused when thecarrier rods strike the end stops, however, because of intricateconstruction, lack of flexibility in operation, the great amount of carerequired to insure proper operation, or other reason, have not beengenerally accepted, or deemed completely satisfactory for the purpose.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new andimproved device of this kind that shall be simple in its construction,flexible in its operation, require little attention for effectiveoperation, and have other advantages over the devices heretoforeproduced.

Other objects are to provide a novel speed and shock-reducing mechanismfor carrier rods which will overcome the difliculties heretoforeencountered, to provide an elastic feature which will automaticallycompensate for minor irregularities in adjustment of parts during theoperation of the device, to provide a safety feature wherebydisengagement between the shock reducing member and its drivingmechanism is automatically effected coincidentally with improperoperation of any of the associated parts, to provide means for changingthe speed ratio between the shock reducing device and the carrier rodoperating mechanism, and to provide a selfcontained speed andshock-reducing unit for a thread carrier rod which will control thespeed of the carrier rod at the same relative position in the travel ofthe rod irrespective of the extent of such travel.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent fromthe following description of the illustrative embodiments of theinvention, shown in the accompanying drawings, our invention comprisesthe novel elements, mechanisms, features of construction, andcombination of parts in cooperative relationship, as here- 5 inafterparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view, in rear elevation, of a fullfashioned knittingmachine embodying the invention, and illustrating the elements as p osi-10 tioned atone stage of operation;

Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are fragmentary views of certain of the elements, asviewed in Fig. l, indicating those elements in a progressive sequence ofpositions from the positions of Fig. 1; 15

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, taken substantially along the line5-5, Fig. 1, parts being broken away for clearness;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view, taken substantially on the line6-45, Fig. 5;

Fig. I is a sectional view, taken on the line 5-1, Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detail view, showing certain of the mechanism of Fig. 6, inan advanced operative position;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the mechanism of Fig. 6, with a portionthereof broken away for illustrating'the operation of the safetyfeature;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on the line l0ill, Fi 1;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view, taken on the line il-lLFig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the machine, includingthe friction box and adjacent parts, taken substantially as indicated bythe line |2--fl2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a view, taken substantially along the line Iii-I3 of Fig. 12,and

Figs. 14 to 17, inclusive, are outline views similar to a portion of themechanism, as viewed in Figs, 1, 2, and 4, showing the parts as relatedat successive stages of operation during the travel of a carrier rod,the friction rod and the shockabsorber device through a halfreciprocation from the center to the right. 45

In accordance with the invention, a speed, and shock-reducing,rod-operating device, is provided and, in the present instance, isslidably mounted on the back narrowing shaft of a conventional fullfashioned knitting machine. 50

A lower portion of the shock reducing device is pivotally linked to, andoperated by, the large rocker arm of the usual coulier mechanism, at apoint between the ends of the rocker arm connected to the cross-headmember, which is connected to, and operates, the friction rod. The shockreducing device includes a spring-biased plunger, which coacts with acomplementary cut-out or detent section, of the shock-reducing rod, toprovide a yielding connection, through which the shock absorber rod maybe reciprocated. The spring-biased plunger automatically compensates forminor irregularities in the construction, adjustment and operation ofthe various parts, and serves as a safety device, which automaticallylifts out of the retaining slot in the shock reducing rod, before abreakage of parts occurs, when a force above a predetermined valueopposes the reciprocation of the rod.

Also in accordance with the invention, the speed ratio between thefriction rod and the speed or shock reducing device, may be changed byrepositioning the pivotal connection between the device and the rockerarm, either toward or from the pivot axis of the arm.

The figures disclose various parts of a Reading full-fashionedstocking-knitting machine embodying the mechanism and elements of ourin-.

vention. For clearness, only those parts of the various mechanismsnecessary to an understanding of the invention are illustrated; theother parts and the operation thereof being well known in the art, asshown and described in the Reading Full Fashioned Knitting MachineCatalogue, copyright 1929, and published by the Textile Machine Works,Reading, Pennsylvania.

In a full-fashioned knitting machine, of the conventional typeillustrated, the center frames ID, are rigidly positioned in parallelspaced relation by transverse tie members, including a front rail l2, aback rail I3, and a center bed I4, which together constitute a basestructure upon which the operating parts are supported.

A couliering mechanism I I, of well known type, comprises a draw arm, orpitman I5, on which is mounted a pair of rollers I 6 for coaction with acoulier cam I1, to oscillate a small rocker arm I8, and a large rockerarm I9. The couliering mechanism operates to translate the rotativemovement of the cam shaft (not shown) into the reciprocative movement ofthe yarn feeding mechanism.

The rollers I6, adjustably secured to the draw bar I5, coact with thecoulier cam I1 to reciprocate the draw bar, which is pivotallyconnected, at opposite ends, to the small and large rocker arms I8 andI9, by studs 20 and 22, respectively. The rocker arms I8 and I9 arepivotally connected to mountings 23 and 24, respectively, by studs 25and 26. The mountirgs 23 and 24 are anchored to the top and undersurfaces, respectively, of the back rail I3.

Reciprocation of the draw bar I5, oscillates the large rocker arm I9about'its pivot stud 26, and reciprocates a cross-head 21 through aconnector element 28, opposite ends of which are pivoted to the rockerarm I9 and to the cross-head 21, respectively, by studs 29 and 30.Operation of the cross-head 21, and of a friction rod 32, securedthereto by screws 33, operates a friction box 34, which is frictionallyheld to the rod 32 by the clamping action of a usual mechanism includinga lever 3|.

Carrier rods 35, which are slidably mounted in slotted brackets 36, andto which thread carriers 31 are secured, extend substantially the fulllength of the machine; certain of the rods being adapted for selectiveengagement by a slide 38 carried by the friction box 34. The slide 38coacts with one of dogs 35a on each of several of the carrier rods 35.Each thread carrier, of the series of thread carriers provided one foreach knitting section on the rod engaged by the slide 38, is moved acossits sections by the rod to cause the corresponding yarn carrier 31 tosupply the thread to the adjacent loop forming elements, which aresupported by the sinker head 8, and the needle bar 9, and which operatein well known manner.

The extent of travel of the carrier rods 35 is ordinarily controlled byend stops 39 carried by narrowing nuts 40. These nuts form part of theusual narrowing head mechanisms 42, disposed, respectively, at oppositeends of the machine, Fig. 1. The abrupt termination of the carrier rodtravel, on a usual high-speed full-fashioned knitting machine, effects arelatively great shock, which should be substantially reduced topreserve the life of the machine, and to avoid other undesirableresults.

The mechanism above set forth, which is well known in the art, andconstitutes a part of a cluded herein, since a knowledge thereof shouldbe had for a clear understanding of the invention, which operates incooperation therewith to reduce the speed of the carriers, as theyapproach the end stops. This operation is to substantially reduce theshock ordinarily occasioned when a carrier rod is stopped fromfull-speed operation, without intermediate reduction of speed.

According to the invention, a shock-absorber rod 43, as distinguishedfrom the friction rod 32, is slidably supported by suitable bearings inbrackets 4| carried by the center frame Ill. The shock-reducing rod 43is reciprocated at a reduced rate of speed, and in fixed speed relationto the friction rod 32, by a device 44, which is associated with therocker arm I9, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5.

The device 44 comprises a two-part bracket including upper and lowermembers 45 and 46, respectively, which are secured to each other bybolts 41. The member 45 supports a plunger 48, which is held by acompression spring 49, in yielding engagement with a cam surface of therod 43 provided by a groove 58 in the rod. The spring 49 is backed by abridge piece 50, which is adjustably positioned by bolts 52 and nuts 53.The device 44 is slidably mounted on a usual back narrowing shaft 54,and is reciprocated relative to this shaft by the rocker arm I9, througha link 55. Opposite ends of the link 55 are adjustably secured tobearings 56a, and 51a, which are pivotally mounted on the arm I9 and abracket 46, by studs 56 and 51, respectively.

The stud 56 is preferably normally disposed half-way between the studs26 and 29, to thereby move at half the rate of speed at which the stud29 oscillates. Consequently, the device 44, and the rod 43, yieldinglysecured thereto through coaction of the plunger 48 with the groove 58 ofthe rod 43, are reciprocated at half the rate of speed at which thecross-head 21, and the friction rod 32 operate. The elongated slots I9aand 46a are provided to permit a change in the'speed ratio between thefriction rod and the shockreducing device, by changing the positions ofthe studs 56 and 51, in the slots. The rod 43 also carries a pair ofstops 59 and 69, which selectively coact with hinge 62 of the frictionbox 34, see Figs. 12 and 13, to periodically reduce the speed of thecarriers.

Operation When the couliering mechanism II is half way through itsoperative stroke, the instantaneous positions of the parts are asindicated in Fig. 1. The coulier cam I! normally rotates in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 1 from the rear of the machine, and theassociated reciprocating members move towards the right. The hinge 82,of the friction box 34, is positioned between the stops 59 and 68, whichare carried by the shock absorber rod 43.

With continued movement of the coulier mechanisnr II from the positionof Figs. 1 and 14 to the position of Figs. 2 and 15, during which theshock absorber rod 43 moves at half the speed of thelfriction rod 32,the friction box 34 and the associated carrier rod 35 gradually reducethe gap between the hinge 62 and the stop 88, until the position shownin Figs. 2 and 15 is reached. At this position, the friction box hinge82 overtakes the stop 88. The shock of impact of the hinge 62 with thestop 68, is absorbed by the springbiased plunger 48, which ismomentarily raised to the position shown in Fig. 8, while the rod 43moves a proportionate distance, to the right, in unison with thefriction box 34. However, this action may be very minute; the rod 43 andplunger 48 being almost instantaneously returned, by

the action of the spring 49, to the former relative positions, see Figs.6 and 7.

From the time the friction box 43 overtakes the stop 88, Figs. 2 and 15,until the operative carrier rod 35 abuts its respective end stop 39, seeFigs. 3 and 16, the speed of the carrier rod 32 is controlled by theshock absorber rod 43, because of the coaction between the hinge 82 andthe stop 68, while the friction rod 32 continues to reciprocate at aconstant rate of speed, to actuate the friction box 34, which slidesrelative thereto, because of the arresting influence of the stop 68thereon As a result of this reduction of speed of the carrier, effectedby the coaction between the friction box and the shock absorber rod, theimpact of the carrier rod upon the end stop is negligible.

Although the travel of the friction box 34, and therefore, of thecarrier rod 35, is terminated by the end stop 39, Figs. 3, 4, 16, and17, the friction rod 32 and the shock absorber 43 uninterruptedlycontinue the reciprocatory movement, until the rocker arm l9 reaches theend of its oscillating stroke, wherein the shock-absorber rod 43 hascarried its stop away from the friction-box hinge 52, as shown in Figs.4 and 1'7. After this action, the direction of the above-mentionedmovement is reversed,and the friction rod, the. carrier rod and theshock absorber rod, move toward the left-hand end of the machine, as therocker arm 19 oscillates from the position A, Fig. 1, to the oppositeend B of its stroke.

The above-described operation of the various elements is repeated, asthe left edge of the hinge 62 coacts with the stop 59, the carrier rod35 coacting with the end stop 39 in the manner and order previouslyexplained in conjunction with Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, for which reasonillustration and description of such operation are not given.

The shock developed, when the hinge 62 engages either of the stops 59 or60, is absorbed by the device 44 by movement of the plunger 48 to theposition of Fig. 8.

Figs. 6, '7, and 9 show the mechanism by which the shock absorber rod 43is moved by the device 44. The rod 43 is slidably mounted in a bearingportion 83 of the bracket 45. The plunger 48 is slidably mounted in abearing 64, and prevented from turning relative thereto by a pin 65secured to the plunger 48, opposite ends of which extend into, and areguided by, a channel portion 88 of the bracket 45. The plunger 48 isheld in biased relation to the rod 43, by a spring 49 which is held incompressed relation thereto by the bridge 58. v

This bridge is adjustably mounted relative to the bracket 45, by thebolts 52 and nuts 53. The spring 49 is positioned by end seats orbuttons 48a and 58a, respectively, secured to the plunger 48 and thebridge 50. Coaction between the tapered end 48b of the plunger, and thegroove 58 of the shock absorber rod 43, provides a safety connectionbetween the rod 43 and the device 44'.

When the normal operation of the shock absorber rod is resisted. asoccurs when the holding force of the friction box relative to thefriction rod exceeds a normal value, the shock absorber 43, instead ofreducing the speed of the friction box, will itself be accelerated bythe box, so that I the grooved portion 58 of the rod 43 disengages theportion 48b of the plunger 48, and moves from the position of Fig. 6 tothe position of Fig. 9.

Repositioning of the groove 58 to receive the plunger 48, see Fig. 6,from the inoperative position shown in Fig. 9, is automatically effectedduring the completion of the reciprocation of the rod 43 to the right,as a .collar 68 engages the bracket 4! and arrests the movement of rod43 to the right, until the groove 58 thereof is overtaken, and enteredby the plunger 48. Coaction,

between a collar 61 and the left side of the bracket 41!, willreposition the rod 43 relative to the plunger 48, if the plunger islifted out of operative position during the movement of the rod 43 tothe left.

The rod 43 preferably has a flattened portion 43a adjacent to the openend of the groove 58, to prevent wear on the plunger 48 during the timethat the plunger is out of the groove, as indicated in Fig. 9. The rodsection 4311 is preferably heavier than the remainder of the rod 43, torender the groove 58 of suitable depth, so that the plunger 48 may belifted an appreciable distance, without entire removal from the groove58; this feature being provided to effect the action set forth inconnection with Figs. 2 and 8.

The safety feature, eifected by the springblased plunger and grooved-rodconnection, is particularly desirable in this device, to avoid breakageof parts. By employing springs of different strengths, as well as bychanging the position of the bridge 50, the force required to breakengagement between the plunger 48 and the grooved portion 58 may readilybe controlled. Also, the speed ratio between the device 44 and thefriction rod 32 may be adjusted by changing the position of the link 55to an auxiliary position, such as positions C and D, indicated in Fig.1.

After the mechanism is initially adjusted to have the speed reducingdevice 44 control the movement of the friction box and the carrier rod,from the time the carrier rod arrives at a specified distance from theend stop, the stops 59 and 60 will thereafter, successively coact withthe hinge 62, when the carrier arrives at the predetermined distancefrom the end stop, irrespective of the variation in the travel of thecarrier: Thus, if the hinge 62 engages the stop 68 during the movementof the friction rod to the right, as in Fig. 2, and the machine is soset that this action takes place whenthe carrier rod reaches a positionone inch from its end stop, by this arrangement, no matter how manynarrowing or widening operations are introduced, the friction box hingewill always engage the respective stop on the shock absorber rod 43,when the end of the carrier rod reaches the predetermined one-inchposition relative to the end stop.

This condition is brought about irrespective .of the fact that,following each narrowing operation, the shock absorber stop must coactwith the friction box at an earlier point in its travel corresponding tothe extent of narrowing effected. This condition is automaticallycompensated for .by the fashioning mechanism 42, which, when moving thecarrier rod toward, or from, the center of the machine, a distance equalto the extent of fashioning, the friction box is moved a correspondingdistance in the same direction, through the slide 38; the friction rod32 meanwhile, remaining stationary.

Consequently, because of the repositioning of the friction box relativeto the friction rod, during the operation of the machine toward the lefthand end, as viewed from the rear of the machine, the hinge 62 will abutthe stop 59 at an earlier or later point in its travel; this changecorresponding to the extent and direction of fashioning effected. Thus,since the end stops have likewise been moved toward, or from, the centerof the machine, a distance corresponding to the movement of the frictionbox relative to the friction rod, the stop on the shock absorbing rodwill coact with the friction box, when the carrier rod reaches thepredetermined position at which the device was initially adjusted.

Slidably coacting with the guide rod 14, extending longitudinally of themachine and rigidly supported by the brackets 4|, are forked members 69and I3, respectively, secured to the rod 43 and the friction box 34, andoperating to prevent rotative movement, and not to disturb thereciprocation of the rod 43 and the friction box 34, see Fig. 5.

The forked member I0, which is rigidly secured to the sliding bracket46, by .the bolts 15, coacts with the longitudinally extending shaft 12,as indicated in Fig. 5, to impart a steadying influence on the speedreducing device 44, in addition to defining the path of movementthereof.

As shown in Fig. 10, the link 55 is adjustably secured to the brackets56a and 51a, for the purpose of repositioning the bracket 46 from, ortoward, the rocker arm l9.

The studs 55 and 51 are positioned in the slotted portions I91; and 46aof arm I!) and bracket 46, respectively, as shown in Figs. 11 and 5, andlocked in position, by the holding nuts 56b and 51b. Repositioning ofthe link 55, as to either of the positions C or D, Fig. 1, willaccordingly change the speed ratio between the friction rod 34 and thespeed retarding device 44.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the inventionwill operate when the operative carrier rod reachesv a predeterminedposition relative to the end stop, this action continuing irrespectiveof the variations instituted in conjunction with the travel of thecarrier rods. The device operates in the same efficient nannerirrespective of whether narrowing or widening operations of the machineare effected.

The simplicity of operation, the relatively small number of parts, thereadiness with which the device may be attached to a conventionalknitting *gmachine, the flexibility ofthe device, and the safety featureassociated therewith, make this attachment particularly desirable foremployment in conjunction with full-fashioned knitting machines of thetype disclosed.

The improvement specifically shown and described, by which the resultsare obtained, may be modified in various ways, without departing fromthe invention as set forth and claimed.

We claim:

1. In a knitting machine, two reciprocating driven members 'and adriving member for each; one of said driven members operating at a speedless than said other driven member and one of said driven memberssubject to impact forces acting to shift its position relative to itsdriving member resulting from said differential in speed between saiddriven members, and means urging said relatively shiftable members tonormal relative position comprising an element associated with one ofsaid relatively shiftable members and a cooperating cam surfaceassociated with the other of said relatively shiftable members, andresilient means for maintaining said element in engagement with said camsurface, whereby said forces acting to shift the relative position ofsaid members are absorbed by the relative movement between said elementand said cam surface.

2. In a knitting machine provided with a reciprocating driven member, anauxiliary driven member operating at a speed less than said first drivenmember and subject to impact forces resulting from said difference inspeed between the auxiliary driven member and said first driven member,said impact forces acting to alter the normal relative position of saidauxiliary member and a driving member therefor, means urging saidauxiliary member and its driving member to normal relative positioncomprising an element associated with one of said members and acooperating cam surface associated with the other, and resilient meansfor maintaining said element in engagement with said cam surface,whereby said forces acting to alter the relative position of saidauxiliary member and its driving member are absorbed by the relativemovement between said element and said cam surface. I

3. A full-fashioned knitting machine comprising a carrier rod, stops forthe rod, an actuator rod for the carrier rod, means for causing theactuator rod and the carrier rod to move in unison and relative to eachother, means including an element operated at a speed less than thespeed of the actuator rod for intercepting the carrier rod near the endsof its stroke and causing the carrier rod to slip relativelto theactuator rod for reducing the speed of the carrier rod relative to thespeed of said element to reduce the shock of impact of the carrier rodwith the stops, a

driver for. said element and drive connecting means therefor includingmeans effecting com- )plete release of said driver and element upon 'theelement encountering a predetermined maximum force, and effecting ashock absorbing limited relative movement between said element anddriver upon the element encountering a force less than saidpredetermined maximum force.

4. A full-fashioned knitting machine comprising a carrier rod, stops forthe rod, a friction rod, a friction box, a driver for the friction rod,means including an element operated by the driver at a speed less thanthe speed of the friction rod for intercepting the box near the ends ofits stroke and causing the box to slip relative to the friction rod forreducing the speed of the box and the speed of the carrier rod relativeto the speed of said element to reduce the shock of impact of thecarrier rod with the stops, and drive connecting means between saidelement and the driver including means effecting complete release ofsaid driver and element upon the element encountering a predeterminedmaximum force, and eifecting a shock absorbing limited relative movementbetween said element and driver upon the element encountering a forceless than said predetermined maximum force.

5. A full-fashioned knitting machine comprising a reciprocable carrierrod, stops for the rod, a reciprocable actuator rod for the carrier rod,means for causing the actuator rod and the carrier rod to move inunison, when the carrier rod is operating between the stops, andrelative to each other when the carrier rod engages a stop, meansincluding a shock absorber rod reciprocable parallel to, and at alesserspeed than, the actuator rod and carrying elements for intercepting saidfirst mentioned means in opposite directions of its travel near the endsof its strokes and causing said first mentioned means to slip relativeto the actuator rod for reducing the shock of impact of the carrier rodwith the stops, and drive means for said shock absorber rod includingmembers and spring means connecting said members, effective tocompletely release said members upon the shock absorber rod encounteringa force greater than a predetermined maximum force, and effective tocause a shock absorbing limited relative movement between said membersupon the shock absorbing rod encountering a force less than saidpredetermined maximum force.

6. A full-fashioned knitting machine comprising a carrier rod, stops forthe rod, an actuator rod for the carrier rod, means for causing theactuator rod and the carrier rod to move in unison and relative to eachother, means including an element operated at a speed reduced from thespeed of the actuator rod for intercepting said moving means near theend of the strokes of the carrier rod and causing said moving means toslip relative tothe actuator rod for reducing the speed of the carrierrod relative to the speed of said element to reduce the shock of impactof the carrier rod with the stops, a driver for said element andautomatically reseatable drive connecting means therefor adapted toeffect a shock absorbing limited relative movement between said driverand element upon the element intercepting said moving means, wherebysaid driver and element are automatically returned to their normalrelative positions by the reseating of the drive connecting means, andmeans for adjustably correlating the ratio of the speed of said elementto that of the actuator rod to any one of a plurality of ratios within agiven range.

7. A full-fashioned knitting machine comprising a carrier rod, stopstherefor, a friction rod, a friction box, a shock-absorber rod, anarrowing shaft, means carried by the shock absorber rod forintercepting the box near the ends of its stroke and causing it to sliprelative to the friction rod, a coulier cam, a pitman, a rocker armelement connected to the pitman and to the friction rod, a carriage onthe narrowing shaft having an arm element, means on the carriage forconnecting the cam to the shock absorber rod and providing for relativemovement between the carriage and the shock absorber rod, a linkconnector between the rocker arm element and the carriage element, andmeans for adjustably connecting the link at any one of a plurality ofpositions along one of said arm elements for operating the shockabsorber rod at a speed less than the speed of the friction rod.

8. A full-fashioned knitting machine including a reciprocatory frictionrod, a thread carrier rod normally operated by, and in synchronism with,the friction rod, means for limiting the extent of movement of thecarrier rod, an oscillatory rocker for actuating the friction rod, aspeedreducing device operated by said rocker at onehalf the speed of thefriction rod for periodically controlling the speed of the carrier rod,and means between the speed-reducing device and the carrier rod,effective to completely release the speed-reducing device from saidrocker upon the same encountering a force greater than a predeterminedmaximum force, and effective to cause a shock absorbing limited relativemovement between the speed-reducing device and the rocker upon the sameencountering a force less than said predetermined maximum force.

9. A full-fashioned knitting machine including a reciprocatory frictionrod, a thread carrier rod, a friction box mounted on the friction rodfor normally operating the thread carrier rod in synchronism with thefriction rod, end stops for limiting the extent of movement of thethread carrier rod, a rocker arm for actuating the friction rod, aspeed-reducing device actuated by said rocker arm at one-half the speedof the friction rod comprising an element carried by said speed-reducingdevice'and a spring cooperating with said element for effecting ayieldableconnection with a rod provided with a depression by thecooperative association of said element with said depression, said rodhaving means carried thereby for periodically engaging the friction boxand decreasing the speed of the friction box and the carrier rodrelative to the friction rod, the construction and arrangement beingsuch that a shock absorbing limited relative movement is effectedbetween the device and said rod upon the means on said rod engaging thefriction box.

10. A full-fashioned knitting machine including a reciprocatory frictionrod, a thread-carrier rod, a friction box on the friction rod andconnected to the carrier rod for synchronously operating the rods, andstops for limiting the extent of movement of the thread-carrier rod, aspeed-reducing device for operation substantially slower than thefriction rod, an auxiliary rod operated by the speed-reducing devicehaving elements thereon for periodically coacting with the friction boxto reduce the operative speed thereof to that of the speed-reducingdevice, a safety device carried by the speed-reducing device foryieldinglyt connecting the latter to said auxiliary rod and operable toautomatically disconnect said auxiliary rod fromthe speed-reducingdevice when the holding force between the friction rod and the carrierrod is opposed by a greater force, a shaft for slidably supporting thespeed-reducing device, a guide shaft, and a forked member secured to thespeed-reducing device for coaction with said guide shaft to define thetraverse of the speed-reducing device.

11. A full-fashioned knitting machine including a reciprocatoryfrictionrod, a thread-carrier rod for operation thereby through a friction boxcarried by the friction rod, end stops for limiting the extent ofmovement of the carrier rod, an

oscillatory rocker arm for actuating the friction rod, a speed-reducingdevice for reciprocation by the rocker arm at a substantially slowerspeed than the friction rod, an auxiliary rod having one end slidablymounted in the speed-reducing device and a pair of elements spacedlysecured to said auxiliary rod for periodically engaging, and controllingthe operative speed of, the friction box and a spring-pressed plungermounted in the speed-reducing device for sliding movement transverselyto the auxiliary rod, the auxiliary rod having a grooved portion forreceiving the plunger to establish a yielding connection between thespeed-reducing device and the auxiliary rod, the construction andarrangement being such that complete release of said speedreducingdevice and said auxiliary rod is effected upon said rod being subject toa force in excess to a predetermined maximum force and a shock absorbinglimited relative movement between said speed-reducing device and saidauxiliary rod is effected upon said rod being subject to a force lessthan said predetermined maximum force.

12. A full-fashioned knitting machine including a reciprocatory frictionrod, a friction box yieldingly secured to the friction rod, a threadcarrier rod operated by the friction box, end stops -for limiting themovement of the carrier rod, a

speed-reducing device for reciprocation substantially slower than thefriction rod, an auxiliary rod for actuation by said device and havingelements mounted in spaced relation thereon for coaction with thefriction box to reduce the speed thereof and of the carrier rodimmediately prior to the engagement of the carrier rod with the endstops to reduce the shock of engagement, a releasable connection betweenthe speed-reducing device and the auxiliary rod having a holding forcegreater than the normal holding force of the friction box relative tothe friction rod, said releasable connection being operable toautomatically disengage the auxiliary rod when the hold ing forcebetween the friction box and the friction rod is opposed by a greaterforce, and means carried by the auxiliary rod for operativelyrepositioning the auxiliary rod relative to the releasable connectingmember.

13. A full-fashioned knitting machine including a reciprocatory frictionrod, a friction box yieldingly secured to the friction rod, a threadcarrier rod operated by the friction box, end stops for limiting themovement of the carrier rod, a speed-reducing device for reciprocationsubstantially slower than the friction rod, anauxiliary rod foractuation by said device and-having elements mounted in spaced relationthereon for coaction with the friction box to reduce the speed thereofand of the carrier rod immediately prior to the engagement of thecarrier rod with the end stop to reduce the shock of engagement, areleasable connection between the speed-reducing device and theauxiliary rod having a. holding force greater than the holding force ofthe friction box relative to the friction rod, said releasableconnection being operable to automatically disengage the auxiliary rodwhen the holding force between the friction box and the friction rod isopposed by a greater force, and a stop collar secured to the auxiliaryrod for stopping the movement of the latter independently of itsactuator member to permit the releasable connected member to overtakeand operatively engage the auxiliary rod as the machine completes .anoperative cycle.

14. A knitting machine comprising a friction rod, a rocker arm foractuating the friction rod, thread-carrier rods, a friction box carryingslidable means for engaging one of the carrier rods to normally actuatesaid carrier rod synchronously with the friction rod, end stops for thecarrier rod, a speed-retarding device for operation by the rocker arm ata slower speed than the friction rod slidably mounted on a shaftextending longitudinally of the machine and including an auxiliary rodreleasably secured thereto carrying elements for coaction with thefriction box at a predetermined position of the latter relative to eachend stop and controlling the speed of the carrier rod from said positionto the adjacent stop, a plunger having a tapered end for coaction with agrooved portion of the auxiliary rod and a spring for cooperation withthe plunger for effecting a releasable connection between the retardingdevice and the auxiliary rod for automatic disengagement when theholding force of the friction box on the friction rod is opposed by agreater force, said plunger being further operable to be partiallyraised out of said groove to absorb the shock of engagement of thefriction box with either of said auxiliary rod elements, and means forpreventing rotation of the auxiliary rod.

15. A knitting machine including a friction rod, a rocker arm foractuating the friction rod, 9. thread-carrier rod, a friction boxcarrying means for normally actuating the carrier rod synchronously withthe friction rod, end stops for the carrier rod, a speed retardingdevice for operation by the rocker arm at a slower speed than thefriction rod slidably mounted on a shaft including an auxiliary rodreleasably secured thereto carrying elements for coacting with thefriction box at predetermined positions of the latter relative to theend stops and controlling the speed of the carrier rod from saidpositions to the end stops, a plunger slidably carried in the retardingdevice having a tapered end for coaction with a. grooved portion of theauxiliary rod and a spring for cooperation with the plunger foreffecting a releasable connection between the retarding device and theauxiliary rod, said connection being for automatic disengagement whenthe holding force of the friction box on the friction rod is opposed bya greater force, said plunger being further operable to be partiallyraised out of said groove to absorb the shock incident to engagement ofthe friction box with either of said auxiliary-rod elements, and a fiatsurface on the side of the auxiliary rod adjacent to the open end of theplunger-receiving-groove for coaction with the tapered end of theplunger when the latter is removed from the groove to prevent rotationof the auxiliary rod.

16. A full-fashioned knitting machine including a reciprocatory frictionrod, a friction box yieldingly secured to the friction rod, a threadcarrier rod for operation by the friction box, end stops for limitingthe extent of movement of the carrier rod, a speed-reducing device forreciprocation substantially slower than the friction rod, an auxiliaryrod actuated by said device and carrying elements mounted in spacedrelation thereon for coaction with the friction box to reduce the speedthereof and of the carrier rod immediately prior to the engagement ofthe carrier rod with the end stops to reduce the shock of saidengagement, a releasable connection between the speed-reducing deviceand the auxiliary rod havanswer 5 ing a holding force slightly greaterthan the normal holding force between the friction box and. the frictionrod, said releasable connection being for automatic disengagement fromthe auxiliary rod when the holding force of the friction box on thefriction rod is opposed by a greater force, and adapted to efiect aShock absorbing limited relative movement between the auxiliary rod and.

the speed-reducing device when the holding force of the friction box onthe friction rod is opposed by a lesser force, and means for changingthe holding force between the speed reducing device and the auxiliaryrod.

